I began writing for Forbes in 2010. It was just as the economy was starting to perk up and a fascinating time to cover the stock market, which I did for three months until I switched beats in September 2010. Now I contribute to the Leadership channel, with a focus on jobs and careers–-another hot topic in a time when people are vigorously hunting for jobs or desperately trying to hold on to the ones they have. I have a BA from the University of Arizona and a master's degree in journalism from Hofstra University. Follow me on Twitter @JacquelynVSmith, subscribe to me on Google+, or email me at jsmith [at] forbes [dot] com.

The Top Employers For Veterans

Booz Allen Hamilton is the top employer for veterans, according to new market data collected by Payscale.com. That means the Virginia-based defense and civil contractor employs the greatest number of former military service members in skilled labor positions.

Booz Allen Hamilton, commonly known as Booz Allen, provides consulting services to the U.S. government in defense, intelligence, and civil markets, and to major corporations, institutions, and not-for-profit organizations. Nearly one third of the company’s 25,000 employees have military backgrounds.

Betty Thompson, senior vice president and chief personnel officer at Booz Allen, says the company is proud to be the top employer for veterans. “We have maintained a deep and long commitment to the nation’s military community that began with our work assisting the U.S. Navy at the dawn of World War II and continues today with the Military Health System, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and our many engagements with the Department of Defense and armed services,” she says. “U.S. veterans and wounded warriors made personal sacrifices to serve our country, and it is in that same spirit of service that Booz Allen has pledged its commitment to these heroic men and women.”

Thompson says the company is committed to hiring and retaining veterans and wounded warriors who want to continue serving the nation in a “different and challenging way.” She adds, “We value them particularly because of the level of knowledge and training they bring to support our clients’ core missions.”

Booz Allen supports employees with military backgrounds through outreach, training programs, and its Armed Services Forum, which provides support, camaraderie, and resources for employees formerly or currently serving. “Veterans are exceptional individuals who have served our country, upheld the highest ethical standards, and strive to do important work that makes a difference,” Thompson says. “Because of these qualities, veterans embody many of Booz Allen’s core values and they thrive within our culture.”

The company also generates plenty of opportunities for veterans to convert military skills into marketable civilian opportunities, Thompson says. “Our strategy, technology, analytics, and engineering consultants help clients, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, the Department of Homeland Security and many others, achieve success in their most critical missions.”

Booz Allen was also ranked No. 1 on G.I. Jobs Magazine’s 2011 list of the “Top 100 Military Friendly Employers.”

For this study, Payscale looked only at employers that offer positions where military experience or training is highly relevant in day to day work. For example, Wal-Mart, which is one of the largest employers in the country, and as such employs among the largest number of veterans, was excluded from the study because of the lack of skilled labor positions.

“We focus on skilled labor positions for the reason that military training does not better prepare you for retail positions but does give you necessary skills useful for the skilled labor force,” says Katie Bardaro, Payscale’s lead economist. “After finishing a tour, veterans can always choose to move into a retail position–as long as those companies are hiring, which they often are–but the pay and benefits are minimal and the position would use very little of their training. If the veterans are looking for pay to rival their military pay and a position that lets them build upon the skills they gained in service, then skilled labor is the way to go.”

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This is an excellent article Jacquelyn. Well done. Thank you for provided our veterans this information. Do you also know:

Veterans Fitness Career College is a community of caring and motivated veterans (many with 80-100% service-connected disabilities) with extensive experience in the fitness industry who are helping our fellow transitioning veterans and their dependents get healthy as they start a rewarding and sustainable career in the fitness industry.

Jacquelyn, thank you for the article but would ask…..what about us spouses? I have been married for 9 years to my husband who is currently in the USAF and I have a Bachelors in Marketing, due to following my husband around no company will touch me without 3-5 years experience!! Wish there where more articles/companies willing to support us spouses too! Food for thought.